For a long time, being overweight has been associated with several health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. However, a recent research finding suggests that being overweight may actually have a protective effect against stroke.
What is Stroke?
According to the American Heart Association, stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or severely reduced. This can happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or is blocked by a clot.
When this happens, brain cells begin to die, and the affected person may experience temporary or permanent disability.
Research Findings
A study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that overweight individuals had a lower risk of stroke compared to individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI).
The study, which involved 1.3 million adult participants, found that individuals who were overweight had an 11% lower risk of stroke compared to individuals with a normal BMI.
The researchers suggest that excess body fat may provide a cushioning effect that helps protect the brain during a stroke event.
Possible Reason for Protective Effect
Other possible reasons for the protective effect of excess body fat include the production of adiponectin, a hormone produced by fat cells that has been linked to reduced inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a major risk factor for stroke.
Moreover, people who are overweight may have higher levels of lipoprotein called high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, commonly referred to as the “good” cholesterol.
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HDL cholesterol helps to keep arteries clear of fatty deposits that can narrow and harden them, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a risk factor for stroke.
What Does This Mean?
Although the study suggests that being overweight may have a protective effect against stroke, it is important to note that being overweight is also associated with several other health conditions that can increase the risk of stroke.
These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, among others.
Therefore, individuals who are overweight should not take this research finding as a license to remain overweight.
Rather, they should aim to maintain a healthy weight while also adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking.
Conclusion
The finding that being overweight may have a protective effect against stroke is an interesting one that requires further research.
However, it is important to note that there are several other health conditions associated with being overweight that can increase the risk of stroke. Therefore, individuals who are overweight should aim to maintain a healthy weight while adopting a healthy lifestyle to reduce their overall risk of stroke.
